EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Western Michigan softball team led early against Michigan State but the Broncos eventually fell to the Spartans 7-2 Wednesday afternoon at Secchia Stadium.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:Â @WMUSoftball
In the top of the second inning with one out, left fielder Aspen Williams put the Broncos on the board with a home run to right field. It was the junior's third home run of the season as WMU took the early lead.
The Spartans jumped in front in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring four runs on a home run, three singles and two errors. Michigan State added another run in the fifth off another Spartan home run to lead 5-1.
The Broncos gained a run back in the top of the sixth as center fielder Ivy Schaaf started the inning with a single down the middle. Freshman Mackenzie Swinehart moved Schaaf to second with a sac bunt and senior Kelsea Cichocki delivered a single to center field driving in Schaaf to make the score 5-2.
The Spartans would add two runs in the bottom of the sixth but Schaaf would end the inning with a catch on the warning tracks as MSU took a 7-2 lead and would seal the victory in the top of the seventh.
Starting pitcher Anissa Sanchez went 3.2 innings giving up four runs on five hits and striking out one Spartan. Relief pitcher Holly VanTilburg finished the game pitching 2.1 innings allowing three runs off four hits.
Offensively, the Broncos were led by Cichocki's two hits and one RBI while Jenna Faultersack, Schaaf, Courtney Sleeman, and Williams all added one hit.
The Broncos return to Mid-American Conference play hosting Ohio in their season opener in a three-game series this weekend, beginning on Friday, March 31 at 3 p.m. WMU continues its five-game home stance welcoming Central Michigan on Tuesday, Apr. 4 for a MAC double-header. First pitch in the first game is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Â
